Comments on: Dynafit Backcountry Skiing Binding Durability Tips and Tricks http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Wed, 22 May 2013 06:23:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Al Olby http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/#comment-52684 Al Olby Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:11:12 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=618#comment-52684 Lou, good spot on the crampon mount. I don't *think* that's caused a problem on mine but I'll check it out. I've posted photos at http://www.valaismountainlife.com/assault-on-bindings/ if you're interested. What I like about the ATK SL-R and RT toe is that the crampon mount is a forged part of the whole toe mount rather than being a bolt on extra. To my mind this makes for a more robust toe piece. I'd be very interested to hear of any experiences with the ATK RT's durability. I've been using the ATK SL-R for races all season with no problems, and the toe *feels* much more solid/positive than the Dynafit's when you click into the binding. In comparison the Dynafit feels 'looser' when engaging the toe pins - but of course that's very subjective . Bar, thanks for the heads up on Telemark Pyrenees and the TLT. I've used Telemark Pyrenees several times and have always had excellent service from them. Let's see what Dynafit have to say about this latest breakage - they've been really good to date with warranty claims i have to say. Just glad I realised they'd broken as I set out to train because the journey back down would have been really dangerous otherwise. Note to self (and others using lightweight bindings): check 'em out before you set out EVERY time! And probably every time you get back too ;-) Lou, good spot on the crampon mount. I don’t *think* that’s caused a problem on mine but I’ll check it out. I’ve posted photos at http://www.valaismountainlife.com/assault-on-bindings/ if you’re interested.

What I like about the ATK SL-R and RT toe is that the crampon mount is a forged part of the whole toe mount rather than being a bolt on extra. To my mind this makes for a more robust toe piece. I’d be very interested to hear of any experiences with the ATK RT’s durability. I’ve been using the ATK SL-R for races all season with no problems, and the toe *feels* much more solid/positive than the Dynafit’s when you click into the binding. In comparison the Dynafit feels ‘looser’ when engaging the toe pins – but of course that’s very subjective .

Bar, thanks for the heads up on Telemark Pyrenees and the TLT. I’ve used Telemark Pyrenees several times and have always had excellent service from them. Let’s see what Dynafit have to say about this latest breakage – they’ve been really good to date with warranty claims i have to say. Just glad I realised they’d broken as I set out to train because the journey back down would have been really dangerous otherwise. Note to self (and others using lightweight bindings): check ‘em out before you set out EVERY time! And probably every time you get back too ;-)

]]> By: Bar Barrique http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/#comment-52678 Bar Barrique Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:45:42 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=618#comment-52678 Al; you can purchase the TLT toe pieces from Telemark Pyrenees for about 75 euros apiece. Possibly they are available more locally. I keep wishing for a lighter tech binding that is durable, but I guess I am going to have to stick with the old reliable options for now. Al; you can purchase the TLT toe pieces from Telemark Pyrenees for about 75 euros apiece. Possibly they are available more locally.
I keep wishing for a lighter tech binding that is durable, but I guess I am going to have to stick with the old reliable options for now.

]]> By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/#comment-52673 Lou Dawson Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:02:14 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=618#comment-52673 Thanks for sharing that Al. One thing everyone should be aware of is that when mounting Speed Superlight (red aluminum) be sure the crampon mount and crampon mount screws are not causing undue stress on the base plate when you screw the binding tight down on the ski. I have a similar situation and had to grind out a couple of small depressions in the top skin of my skis so that the binding plate could sit flat. Not sure that's your situation, but it was mine and so far the bindings have not cracked. They're not the exact same bindings, but they do have exactly the same crampon mount system. Lou Thanks for sharing that Al.

One thing everyone should be aware of is that when mounting Speed Superlight (red aluminum) be sure the crampon mount and crampon mount screws are not causing undue stress on the base plate when you screw the binding tight down on the ski. I have a similar situation and had to grind out a couple of small depressions in the top skin of my skis so that the binding plate could sit flat. Not sure that’s your situation, but it was mine and so far the bindings have not cracked. They’re not the exact same bindings, but they do have exactly the same crampon mount system.

Lou

]]> By: Al Olby http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/#comment-52672 Al Olby Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:46:57 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=618#comment-52672 My warranty replacement Dynafit Speed Superlight toe pieces both broke today after just 2 and a half months' use. Cracked across the rear mounting holes, similar to the first failure I had. No falls, and I've done around 30,000m vertical in great snow conditions on them. I don't think I'll be using these bindings again, at least not the toe pieces, even with another warranty replacement. I only weigh 150 lbs and have them mounted on rando race skis, but either there are quality issues and/or the design's not robust enough. Compared to my (lighter) ATK race bindings the toe mount is far less substantial. Like you say Lou, time to combine a heavier toe with the light heel (though having to buy 2 sets of bindings to do this does bug me!) Or maybe Dynafit will replace the broken toe pieces with ST toes this time round... My warranty replacement Dynafit Speed Superlight toe pieces both broke today after just 2 and a half months’ use. Cracked across the rear mounting holes, similar to the first failure I had. No falls, and I’ve done around 30,000m vertical in great snow conditions on them. I don’t think I’ll be using these bindings again, at least not the toe pieces, even with another warranty replacement. I only weigh 150 lbs and have them mounted on rando race skis, but either there are quality issues and/or the design’s not robust enough. Compared to my (lighter) ATK race bindings the toe mount is far less substantial.

Like you say Lou, time to combine a heavier toe with the light heel (though having to buy 2 sets of bindings to do this does bug me!) Or maybe Dynafit will replace the broken toe pieces with ST toes this time round…

]]> By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/618/dynafit-durability/#comment-51679 Lou Dawson Sun, 03 Mar 2013 01:38:12 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=618#comment-51679 Hmmm, that gets even more interesting. Apologies for my crack about antique bindings. And yes, as far as I know the cutter slots are always oriented horizontally (at 9:00). In terms of causing problems, hard to say. Hmmm, that gets even more interesting. Apologies for my crack about antique bindings. And yes, as far as I know the cutter slots are always oriented horizontally (at 9:00). In terms of causing problems, hard to say.

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